As those of you who have read some of my other posts already know, I've got a cheapie mountainbike that I'm trying to bring to tolerable riding level as cheap as possible, to get me by for the next 6 months or so until I can afford to buy a "real" bike.

Background: I'm new to riding, currently riding around 12 miles around town. I'll *never* go mountainbiking. I do hit a bit of gravel/dirt on the canal paths. I have issues with pain in my neck/shoulders which I believe are caused from too long of a reach. Longer term, I'd like to ride longer rides, working up to a century. I'll probably want a road bike at some point, but something with wide-ish tires (i.e., not the real skinny ones).

I think I've decided that butterfly/trekking handlebars will work for me (http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Trekki...7159094&sr=8-1 except I'll order directly from Nashbar, but their site isn't responding for me at the moment).

I currently have grip shifters plus what I'm pretty sure is a simple slide-on rubber grip. I'm thinking I can install it with the open ends up/towards me, and just use my current shifters, brake levers & grips. I don't even know that I'd need the drop/forward position right now (I kind of doubt it on this bike), but I could use tape if I want it. I guess I'd also need tape if I want to use the side position (which might be useful for hills; not a lot of them where I currently ride, but there are a few).

So I'm thinking for my minimal, cheap setup, I just get the bars and tape.I do realize I might have to replace some cables. I *think* I'll be ok except the front brake might be a little short. But aside from that, do I need anything else?

Then I figure as time goes on I can upgrade grips and/or shifters if I decide to. Or I can put these handlebars on whatever new bike I get if I decide I want to. Does this sound reasonable?

One thing I've read is that the butterflies are a different diameter than drop bars, so does that mean I won't be able to use them on a road bike (which I'm assuming is normally fitted with drop bars)? Or is it just that I'd need to change out more parts to make it work?

You ladies are so helpful...I hope some day I will be at the point to help others so much as you have already helped me.